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Much has been said of the
influence a teacher has on students, but what is it that motivates
the teacher? With well-qualified credentials listed on their
resumes, what draws them to Rexburg? Is it the students? Perhaps the
institution? Is there an inner awareness that somehow makes them
rise to a higher level while they are helping others do the same?
With seven distinctive colleges, is there a common factor in the
reasoning that bonds the BYU–Idaho
faculty no matter what their area of expertise? Discover the answers
for yourself as you read how faculty from across campus view the
opportunity to teach at BYU–Idaho.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Sid Palmer »
Department of Biology (1998)
Even though I am an Idaho native and lived
only a couple of hours south of here, I had never stepped foot on
this campus until the day I was interviewed as a faculty candidate.
I felt the uniqueness of this place almost immediately. As I awaited
my department interviews in the hallway of the Benson Building, I
observed students and faculty passing in the halls. The students
greeted the faculty, and the faculty responded, in most cases, by
calling the students by name. They knew
them. I felt like I was home. This was precisely the kind of
educational environment I had wanted as a student and I had tried to
foster as a teacher. Now that I have been here for nearly eight
years, I still say that the best part of my job is the opportunity I
have to be with students. I love them.
We get some of the best youth of the Church at a critical
period when they are making life-altering decisions. Everything up
to this point has been preparation, and everything after will be
work. During the years they are here, many of them will decide what
they will do, who they will marry, and how they will live. They
choose their educational path that will prepare them for future
careers, and many find their spouses. They do these things, all of
these things, on a campus that is overseen and cared for by
prophets, seers, and revelators; and we as faculty get to watch and
be a part of it. There are days when I am so profoundly grateful for
some of the associations that I have had that I call the parents of
students just to tell them thank you for sending their son or
daughter here.
College
of Business and Communication
Kerry Webb »
Department of Economics (2003)
Many times over the last two years, people
have asked me how and why I came to teach at BYU–Idaho. Students
seem puzzled that I would leave a highly-responsible job in
corporate America and a beautiful home and surroundings in the
Northwest. Some seem to question my sanity, while others wonder what
I’m hiding. Many want to know if I was fired from my previous job.
I must admit that living in Rexburg is a little slower than
other places (i.e., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle) where I
have lived. I’m still searching for the local equivalent of Dodger’s
baseball, Ghirardelli Square, and the Space Needle. And I’ve noticed
there is quite a difference between the sands of the California
coast and those in St. Anthony.
The real difference, however, between all those other places
and Rexburg is that they don’t have BYU–Idaho. It’s not that often
you find such a beacon of light and inspiration. In fact it is a
rare situation when people, in their normal working environment, are
able to tap into the Spirit to any degree at all, let alone feel the
Spirit in the abundance that exists on this campus. The difference
is real! A walk across campus, a lunch-time chat with students, or
attending a devotional all say the same thing—the Spirit works among
us to help us become better learners, better teachers, and better
people. The Spirit is active here among our leaders, moving this
university forward, as Elder Eyring phrased it, in “A Steady, Upward
Course.”
Let’s see—a growing organization, touching thousands of people
who center their lives on Jesus Christ, all striving to be led by
the Spirit. Oh, it’s good to have been in other places. But I’m glad
to be at BYU–Idaho.
College of Education
Joyce Anderson
»
Department of Teacher Education (2001)
I remember that February evening when I first laid eyes on
BYU–Idaho. With dusk upon us, my husband and I slowly walked the
campus in an effort to map a route for the coming day’s interviews.
The stillness of the winter air was occasionally interrupted by the
sounds of students who knew where they were headed. We must have
appeared lost, for several stopped to offer help. I was
apprehensive.
I wondered what had led me to this moment. Was it merely by
coincidence that I had learned of a faculty position? Was it simply
by chance that my training and experience seemed to match the
required qualifications? Could I ever leave the warmth and security
of my home and family? I was uncertain.
I am now in my fourth year of teaching at BYU–Idaho. I am
uplifted daily as I interact with students who are in quest of both
spiritual and secular knowledge. I am privileged to experience
personal growth under inspired leadership. I am grateful for
guidance from the Spirit when seeking direction and counsel. I am
truly blessed.
It has become routine to traverse the campus pulling my
“portable office” on wheels. I own a set of ice-grippers to slip
over my boots as I navigate wintry terrains. Photographs of family
and letters from grandchildren decorate my office. I’m finally
remembering to take my scriptures to devotional! For now, I am home.
College of Language and Letters
Lei Shen »
Department of Foreign Languages and
Literature (2004)
As a new faculty member on campus, I have been very much impressed
by a sense of unity, tranquility and responsibility inspired by the
“Spirit of Ricks” across the campus. Students are self-motivated,
administrators are supportive, and colleagues are collaborative. It
is stimulating to see people everywhere at BYU–Idaho who are in
pursuit of “doing good and doing better.”
In retrospect of the past five months, I feel strongly that it
is a great blessing for me to have been granted this opportunity to
teach the Mandarin Chinese language at BYU–Idaho. It is a great
experience to hear students’ constant expression of appreciation
xiexie ni (thank you), to see students show up before 8:00 on chilly
Rexburg winter mornings to practice writing their Chinese characters
on the whiteboard, and to share students’ unique perspectives about
the target language’s culture from their missionary experiences.
Our students are special and so are our colleagues and
administrators. They are caring and cooperative, which creates a
collegial environment in which I feel very comfortable to work. In
addition, their commitment to prioritizing the needs of the students
and to enhancing students’ academic and spiritual growth sets a good
example for me. It urges me to make my personal contributions to the
high quality of our students’ education and to BYU–Idaho, this
Lord-blessed community.
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Daniel Kerr
»
Department of Music (2004)
It took less than half an hour from my first time setting foot on
this campus for me to know that I wanted to teach here. The “Spirit
of Ricks” is a palpable influence at this school. When
then-President Bednar spoke of BYU–Idaho as a “sacred and set apart
place,” he was confirming what the Spirit had already witnessed to
me from my first interactions with this institution.
Why do I teach here? First and foremost, the students. They are
bright, eager to learn and serve; and they are wholesome. They live
the gospel. Significantly, they are at the core of what this school
is about. I am uplifted and inspired by them daily. In addition, I
have never seen such collegiality among instructors both within and
across disciplines as I experience here. The encouragement that is
offered is exceptional and a treasured resource as I strive to
improve as an educator. Finally, what a blessing it is to teach
where both the relatively narrow focus of my discipline as well as
the university program as a whole are fully supported by inspired
leaders. Imagine—prophets and seers guiding a university! I have
been blessed to see and feel the Lord’s guidance through them in
what we do individually and collectively. What a privilege for me to
be lifted by and to contribute to this sacred place.
College of Physical Sciences and Engineering
Dan Moore
»
Department of Geology (2001)
It started with an e-mail. I was attending a professional meeting in
December 2000 when I received an invitation to apply for a faculty
opening in BYU–Idaho’s Department of Geology. The invitation did not
interest me. That evening I was talking with my wife and mentioned
the e-mail. As we discussed it, the Spirit filled our hearts. We
knew the Lord wanted me to apply. Later, en route to my final
interview, I was listening to a history of the Church. As the
narrator described the period in BYU’s history in Provo when it
narrowly escaped dissolution, a feeling of intense gratitude
overwhelmed me. As I pondered why I had felt this, I had a strong
sense that part of my life’s work had hinged on that event. BYU did
survive; Ricks College became BYU–Idaho, and here I am.
Building a strong bachelor’s degree program has been like
raising my seven young children: an intense, challenging, worthwhile
experience that I’m not sure I could or would choose to repeat. Our
department is now at the end of the initial transition, and we have
begun to see the sweet fruits of our labors: successful students.
BYU–Idaho is a community of wonderful people! The Lord has
called me to be an educator, leader, and research geologist.
Recently he called me to BYU–Idaho. I cannot see the end from the
beginning. I do not know all the reasons I am here, but I do know
who called me, and I consider being here a blessing.
College of Religion and Social Sciences
Ron Anderson
»
Department of Religious Education (1997)
Teaching at BYU–Idaho has been a dream come true for me. I grew up
as a seminary/institute child. My father taught in the Church
Educational System for 40 years. As long as I can remember, it has
been my desire to teach religion. In fact I can’t remember wanting
to do anything else. I knew at a young age that I must obtain a
Ph.D. in something so I would be qualified to teach at a college
level.
BYU–Idaho is a perfect fit for me. I have never wanted to
“publish or perish.” It has always been my desire to teach. With
BYU–Idaho’s emphasis on teaching, I feel at home here.
The “Spirit of Ricks” is a real thing to me. I believe it
exists because the faculty here do not have a personal agenda. They
are not trying to sell themselves or bring recognition, fame, or
glory to themselves. I believe they are here for the same reason I
am—to teach students. I believe we have some of the best teachers in
the world here at BYU–Idaho.
I feel honored to be here and hope I can contribute
to the “Spirit of Ricks” established by those who have taught
before.
SM
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